US comedian and actor Bob Newhart has died at the age of 94 "after a series of short illnesses", his publicist announced.
The Emmy Award winner was best known for The Bob Newhart Show, for playing Papa Elf in the popular Christmas film Elf, along with having a recurring guest role on popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory.
The accountant-turned entertainer "died at home in Los Angeles" a year after his wife of 60 years Virginia "Ginnie" Newhart, who died in April 2023.
In 2013 he won an Emmy for his role playing Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton in the much-loved show The Big Bang Theory about friends Leonard, Sheldon, Raj and Howard.
He also played Papa Elf in 2003 Christmas movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell, and Lou Sherman in 2011 comedy Horrible Bosses.
Newhart's recent TV credits include TBBT spinoff Young Sheldon, The Librarians, NCIS, ER, and Desperate Housewives.
Newhart is survived by four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy and Robert, and numerous grandchildren, according to his publicist, Jerry Digney.
